Ox Cart Tavern’s David Pitula & Jim Mamary Plan Asian Fusion Restaurant On Cortelyou Road
Ox Cart Tavern’s David Pitula and Jim Mamary have, for several years, been searching for a place for their next venture in the neighborhood – and when the former Cortelyou Suprette (1120 Cortelyou Road) became available, the two knew they’d found their newest culinary home, an Asian fusion restaurant that is expected to open in January or February.
“We’ve been looking for something for probably two and a half, three years – we looked on Newkirk, Coney Island Avenue, Cortelyou,” David told us yesterday. “Every space lends itself differently to different concepts, and we really like the idea of this one concept we’re really been fixated on. We think it’s something the neighborhood wants and would appreciate.”
“The proximity to Sycamore and Bar Chord is really nice – we want to be a part of that,” David added.
As for what the restaurant (which hasn’t yet been named) will include, David and Jim, who run Ox Cart Tavern (1301 Newkirk Avenue), are planning an Asian fusion restaurant that will include a variety of options, including vegan and vegetarian dishes, from Vietnamese sandwiches to dumplings and more.
“The whole concept is to do feel-good food at an affordable price,” David said, noting that the entrées will, for the most part, be priced at under $15.
“It focuses on vegan and gluten-free. This is place for something that’s economical and flavorful – the concept is more about casual. We want it to be something that’s for everybody.”
The folks from Ox Cart Tavern gave neighbors a preview at the Flatbush Frolic last Sunday of the type of food that they plan to offer at the new spot, including a green papaya salad and chicken ginger lemongrass, miso green chili pork, tofu kimchi shiitake pot stickers, and more.
“What we did at the Frolic was to make sure people like the idea,” David said – which it seemed like neighbors did, with a crowd frequently gathered around the table.
“If people liked what they saw at the Frolic, they’ll love the restaurant.”
David, who’s the chef at Ox Cart, will also be the chef at the Asian fusion spot, though he said they’ll be establishing a chef de cuisine at the new restaurant, as Ox Cart will continue to be his home base.
Additionally, David said he and Jim are open to suggestions from the community about the new restaurant, including what kinds of dishes people would like to see. You can find Ox Cart Tavern’s website here and their Facebook here.
We’re looking forward to seeing what David and Jim will be cooking up for us – welcome to Cortelyou, guys!
